Cyclists will be tested for drugs each day of Redlands Bicycle Classic

REDLANDS - A chaperone will follow the top finishers of this week's Redlands Bicycle Classic through autograph signings and media obligations after the race. Then they'll head to a porta potty or other designated bathroom for a urine screen.

"They inspect you, if you will," said Brian McCulloch, who will be competing in his fourth RBC this week.

The drug screen is to deter the use of performance-enhancing drugs in a sport reeling from the aftermath of scandals.

Most notably, Lance Armstrong was stripped of seven Tour de France victories in October. In January he admitted to doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Armstrong is not allowed to compete in the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

The RBC is a USA Cycling race administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which banned Armstrong from competing in any of their events.

The USADA will be out testing athletes every day of the race, according to race director Eric Reiser.

Typically, they test the top two finishers and one random racer of each stage in the men's and women's divisions, said McCulloch, who has also volunteered at the RBC.

"As far as from my volunteer efforts, they work extremely hard to make sure the race is run in a fun and fair fashion," McCulloch said.

No one has tested positive at the RBC, Reiser said, but added one year a competitor tested positive at a later race, forcing him to lose the points he accrued at the RBC.

In USA Cycling, the first positive test merits a two-year suspension and a second offense can result in a lifetime ban, according to Reiser.

"Cycling is the sport that is attempting to do the most to curb the doping problems," Reiser said, comparing it to the NFL and MLB.